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Photo by David Prenatt Dr. Lauren Ormsby, pictured above, has been chosen to succeed Karen Krause as Ripley Central School District’s superintendent.

Ripley board of education president Robert Bentley made the official announcement Thursday, Nov. 21. Ormsby, who is currently principal, will serve as acting superintendent beginning Dec. 21 and formally become superintendent/principal on March 1, Bentley said.

"This is a new direction for Ripley Central School, making it a single administrative district," Bentley said. "Dr. Ormsby will be our superintendent and K through 12 principal. There will be no other administrative officials in the district."

Bentley said the hiring of Ormsby is in line with Ripley's practice of choosing leaders from its own ranks. "A lot of consultation went into this. Our district has a history of promoting from within" he said. "I believe we have absolutely made the best choice. I believe we will have seamless transition and I believe Lauren is more than capable of taking this district where it needs to go."

Ormsby said she was excited to be chosen for the job and she was not apprehensive. "I am very excited to take on this new role in the district. I have a very defined vision for the district and an amazing team of educators to work with and together I am confident we can bring this vision to fruition."

This is the first year that students in grades 7-12 have been attending Chautauqua Lake Central School. She said she looks forward to the challenges this situation will create.

"My position is very unique in that I am responsible not only for the oversight of the elementary building but for ensuring the needs of our students in grades 7-12 are being met. This entails an ongoing collaboration between the administration at Chautauqua Lake and Ripley," she said. "Again I would have to say that I have a superlative team to work with in both districts and I am looking forward to the future of this collaboration."

Ormsby is a Rochester native and came to the Ripley district after college about 14 years ago. She started as a teacher's assistant in special education, followed by becoming a full-time special education teacher. After that she became the CSE chairperson and then principal.

"I started in Ripley and never left. I love this community," she said. "Over the past 14 years I have developed a deep respect and love for Ripley Central School, the students, the faculty and the community. I am proud and honored to be appointed to this position."

Krause's retirement was announced at the board's October meeting. While her official last day will be Feb. 28, her last day in the building will be Dec. 20. She said she was pleased to have Ormsby as her successor.

"I'm happy for the district to be able to have such an accomplished and talented teacher to lead it," Krause said. "Lauren knows the district, she cares for the kids and they will go far together."

In a related matter, the board accepted the resignation of Marie McCutcheon, who has served for 27 years as district clerk and secretary to the superintendent. Bentley praised her work through the years.

"No other district clerk can do what she does. I've been a huge fan of hers and I will miss her," he said.